Maibobo

During the Rwandan civil war in 1994, many children lost their parents. 15 years later these kids, often mockingly known as ‘maibobo’ (street kids), live on the fringes of society. Maibobo provides a realistic and moving picture of the living conditions of these children, whose hope for a beautiful future is zero. In lengthy shots, Niyongabo follows a country boy who hopes for a better future in town. His quest ends in disappointment when he finds more hostility and hypocrisy than happiness. He is, however, lovingly taken in by other street children. This story provides subtle criticism of the one-sided media reporting in Rwanda, where a rose-coloured future is sketched for all young people. Niyongabo allowed himself to be inspired by the many stories of street kids in Rwanda and in Maibobo he gives them a voice. In his first film, the young Niyongabo shows he has great feeling for style, picture and rhythm and is a very committed film maker.

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